Breast Reduction (Mammoplasty)
Breast reduction surgery, otherwise known as mammoplasty is a surgical procedure to reduce the size of large breasts. This procedure reduces the volume of the breast, balancing your body’s proportion and reducing the health problems associated with overly large breasts.
What does breast reduction surgery involve?
Breast reduction surgery is performed under general anaesthetic meaning that that you will spend approximately two nights in hospital.
Every surgeon will have a preferred technique, however, the basics of breast reduction involve removing excess breast tissue, reshaping your breasts and repositioning your nipples which will enhance their ‘pert’ appearance.
During the consultation, your surgeon will discuss the process and technique involved. They will also be able to show you where the incisions will be made.
Benefits of breast reduction
Breast reduction surgery not only improves aesthetic proportion but also relieves a variety of symptoms ranging from backache to skin irritation. Supporting the weight of your breasts alone can lead to symptoms like chronic back and shoulder pain and poor posture. Breast reduction surgery is one of the most rewarding cosmetic procedures which has the potential to seriously improve quality of life not only for aesthetic reasons but also for a multitude of health reasons.
Recovery after surgery
Recovery after breast reduction can vary but as a general rule, full recovery can take anywhere between two to six weeks. We recommend that you resume normal day-to-day activities after about two weeks. It is very important to rest during this time and limit any movement that requires lifting your elbows above your shoulders.
This article was written by The McIndoe Centre, in collaboration with Paul Banwell BSc MB BS FRCS (Eng) FRCS (Plast) Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon. All information, advice and procedures were updated on 22nd April 2022.
Consultants that perform this procedure
Patient Information Hub
If you are thinking about having cosmetic surgery, here are some important questions that you should ask yourself to help you make the decision that is right for you.
- What do I want to change and why do I want to have surgery?
- Have I considered all the options?
- Can surgery give me the results I want?
- Am I expecting the surgery to change my life as well as my appearance?
- Is now the right time?
Having surgery is a big decision
For more information and advice about cosmetic surgery contact our Private Patient Advisory Team on 01342 488054 or email info.mcindoe@horder.co.uk.
Planning your long-term goals with your consultant, and researching the procedure, will reinforce whether surgery is the right option for you.Surgery is not without risk so you should be sure in your reasons for wanting to go ahead. It is important that your expectations are realistic and that the advantages to you always outweigh the risk of surgery.
Take this checklist to your consultation with the surgeon performing the procedure. Discuss each topic with your surgeon to help you make the decision that is right for you before having surgery.
Having surgery is a big decision
For more information and advice about cosmetic surgery contact our Private Patient Advisory Team on 01342 488054 or email info@mcindoe.co.uk
Think carefully before having cosmetic surgery
Never feel rushed or pressured into giving your consent. Be wary of surgeons or staff who try to convince you to go ahead. Take plenty of time to make your decision.
We strongly advise you take at least two weeks after your consultation with the surgeon performing the procedure to think things through before surgery.
Having surgery is a big decision
For more information and advice about cosmetic surgery contact our Private Patient Advisory Team on 01342 488054 or email info@mcindoe.co.uk
Breast reduction FAQs
In the immediate days and weeks that follow surgery, you will experience reddened and raised scar tissue. Around six months post-operatively, scarring will be drastically reduced, or in some cases completely faded. Regular massaging and moisturising will help to reduce the appearance of scarring, your consultant will advise you on how best to do this.
As with all surgical procedures, there are some risks to be aware of, however, this is a very well-practiced procedure by our consultants and we do everything to minimise the chance of any complications. Scarring is a natural part of the healing process, but sometimes scars can become quite thick. This is either down to the skill of your surgeon or your body’s reaction to the wound healing.
You could be left with some excess skin (commonly known as ‘dog ears’) around the scars which can be easily removed with surgery. If you have gone through periods of weight gain and weight loss this increases the chance of excess skin forming. Your consultant will go through all the possible complications with you during your consultation.
Compared to having separate surgeries, combining treatments has the advantage of saving time and having only one recovery period. Having said this the recovery period could become longer and you could be in a little more discomfort than having separate surgeries. If you are thinking about combining treatments, you can definitely discuss this with your surgeon during your initial consultation. It is popular to combine breast reduction surgery with breast uplift and asymmetry correction.